SHIMOGA 20 November 2022
Sacred Heart Cathedral, Shimoga: The Inter- Diocesan Celebration of Christ the King Feast and the Eucharistic Procession thereafter celebrated with great devotion and spiritual pomp with the presence of large number of faithful, priests and religious of the diocese on 20 November 2022 at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Shimoga at 4.30 pm, beginning with the recitation of the Rosary followed by the Holy Eucharist and ended with the Eucharistic Procession in the streets of the Shimoga City.
All the Sui Iuris churches comprising of Syro- Malabar Diocese of Bhadravathi, the Syro-Malankara Diocese of Puttur and the Latin Diocese of Shimoga took active part in the spiritual events, with the presence of Most Rev. Dr Francis Serrao SJ, the Bishop of the host Diocese and Most Rev Dr Joseph Arumachadath, the Bishop of Bhadravathi. Most Rev Dr Francis Serrao SJ celebrated the Holy Eucharist concelebrated by a large number of priests of all the three rites.
The concelebrared Eucharist was marked with well prepared liturgy with excellent singing and a soul stirring homily and the altar being decorated with flowers. Faithful from Shimoga parishes, Bhadravathi parishes and other parishes of the diocese attended this spiritual event.
Soon after the mass, the Eucharistic Procession began its journey from the Cathedral campus with the Montrance mounted on the pedestal created in the Procession Car with Most Rev Dr Joseph Arumachadath holding it. The Procession Car was being decked with floral decoration and that attracted a large crowd of other religions. It was indeed a devout, prayerful and well disciplined procession with the faithful praying the Rosary and singing hymns proclaiming Christ as the King of the Universe. The Procession got wound up by 8pm with a solemn blessing over the faithful by the Bishop. The whole event was very much appreciated for its meticulous planning and execution.
Earlier, a month ago before the celebration, a meeting of priests of the Carmel Deanery and Deans of four deaneries was convened by Most Rev Dr Francis Serrao SJ so as to discuss and plan the modalities of the celebration. The priests and religious heads present for the meeting willingly opted to take responsibility and even sponsor for the events.
The Parish Priest of the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Rev Stany D'Souza, remembered with gratitude all the in-charge persons, sponsors and especially PPC and PFC members of his parish for their willingness to take responsibilities and thanked them profusely.
Then it was his turn to thank both the Bishops Most Rev Dr Francis Serrao SJ who was very instrumental in and keen on organising the event after a gap of 3 years due to unwarranted surge of pandemic fear and Most Rev Dr Joseph Arumachadath for their presence and specially praying for the people of God.